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Skipping Stones Honor Award

“…Here’s a timely look at war in a thoughtful format accessible to youngsters.”

—Yellow Brick Road Newsletter

“… good conversation starter for parents who want to talk about war and violence with their children.”

—New Pages Children and Young Adult Book Reviews

“In these times, when violence and war are constantly in the news, children need our help sorting out the fantasy of war play from the painful realities of war. By bringing up the impact of war on one child, who gets upset when his friends engage in war play, and showing us his friends’ caring responses, ‘Playing War’ does what no other children’s book before it has done. It provides the forum adults and children need to feel safe talking about the real human impact of war.”

—Diane Levin, Ph.D., Professor of Education and author of Teaching Young Children in Violent Times and The War Play Dilemma

Playing War

Written by Kathy Beckwith
Illustrated by Lea Lyon
Published by Tilbury House Publishers

One summer day, Luke and his friends decide to play their favorite game of war, using sticks for guns and pine cones for bombs. But Sameer, who is new to their neighborhood, doesn’t want to join in. When the kids learn that Sameer lost his family in a real war, they realize that war is not a game. The gracefulness of their response and the power of friendship are the real stories here.

Primary ISBN: 9780884482673
Publication Date: July 2005
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Picture Book , Age 07 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Refugee

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Classroom Guide

Source: Tilbury House Publishers​​